| > | | | | You can use web sites, such as Cheap to find cheap |
| Get cheap hotel rooms using a few techniques and | | | | hotel rooms. However, they only give you rates for the |
| traveler's secrets. | | | | hotels and motels that are in their system. For |
| When you get off the bus in the Andean Mountain | | | | example, I just did a search for Tucson, Arizona. |
| resort town of Banos, Ecuador, you'll see several | | | | Cheap was the easiest site to use, and found the best |
| people quickly moving towards you. Some of them will | | | | rates of the sites I tried. However, I could show you |
| be the actual owners of the hotels in town, and others | | | | several nice motels here in Tucson that are $15 |
| are working on commission. They'll offer you cheap | | | | cheaper than the cheapest rate they found. |
| hotel rooms, and they'll all claim to have the nicest and | | | | In other words, these sites are convenient, and worth |
| the cheapest. | | | | using when you have nothing else, but they will never |
| This onslaught of salesmen may annoy you at first, | | | | show you all your options. Here are some other ways |
| until you realize what it means. There are vacant | | | | to get cheap rooms. |
| rooms tonight, and there is real competition! They have | | | | Freeway Coupon Books |
| tipped their hands, and you are in charge now. Let the | | | | Get coupon books at gas stations along the highways. |
| contest begin! | | | | We've almost always found good deals using these. |
| When my wife and I were in Banos recently, we let an | | | | It's rare that a manager won't honor the coupon. |
| older woman drag us off from the bus station. She | | | | Generally, only if they're absolutely full will they refuse. |
| showed us two hotels she owned, and we preferred | | | | Read the fine print, though. They often charge more |
| the second. We were told the room would be $12. It | | | | for certain dates, or for two people. |
| was clean, with cable T.V. and lots of hot water. We | | | | Use The "Magic Words" For Cheap Hotel Rooms |
| offered $6 per night, paying for four nights in advance. | | | | There are promotions done where if you "mention this |
| She agreed. | | | | ad" or just use the right words, you get up to 70% |
| The lesson is clear if you want the cheapest hotel | | | | discount. Talk, talk, talk. Tell them if you're a member of |
| room: Negotiate! The owner knew we were ready to | | | | the AARP, AAA or whatever. Tell the person on the |
| walk away, and that there were others waiting for our | | | | phone that you saw an ad in the "Times," or whatever |
| business. Unfortunately, most owners here in the U.S. | | | | big paper they might have advertised in. |
| would rather let you drive away than knock five bucks | | | | Get the receptionist to help you. Try asking what the |
| off the room rate. Even here, however, we have | | | | magic words are. Some receptionists will tell you. You |
| negotiated decent discounts by paying for several | | | | might also ask "What do I have to say to get the |
| nights in advance. Of course we let them know that | | | | cheapest rate?" They will sometimes tell you, or |
| we'll be looking elsewhere if they say no. | | | | suggest other options. |
| The Internet Sites | | | | |